Israel to hold extreme-weather exercise as winter arrives
The "Storm Suit" exercise includes scenarios for extreme winter weather conditions that will test inter-organizational competence and efficiency.
By ALEX WINSTONSnow in Jerusalem, February 20, 2015(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)
Israeli authorities will conduct nationwide drills on December 10-11, to deal with extreme weather scenarios.The drills are being run by the Public Security Ministry, in collaboration with the IDF, Israel Police, Israel Prison Service, Fire and Rescue Commission and the Interior Ministry as well as other bodies. The exercise has been named “Storm Suit.”The “Storm Suit” exercise includes scenarios for extreme wintry weather conditions that will test the efficiency of inter-organizational competence and the level of national preparedness in responding to such weather in Israel.On Wednesday, a field exercise will take place at Kiryat Anavim, a kibbutz in central Israel, simulating the collapse of guest facilities leading to many injuries. The scenario will be led by the Israel Police, with the participation of the Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan, the Deputy Commissioner of Israel Police and other officials. During the exercise, a field tour will be held.Later that afternoon, another exercise will take place at the Shlomo Group Arena in Tel Aviv with Erdan and Internal Affairs Minister Arye Deri, during which a situational assessment and review will be conducted by the Interior Ministry’s director of emergency services, the head of the Israel Police and other bodies involved.Israel’s Environmental Protection Ministry released a report last week during a UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid, detailing the impact of climate change on Israel’s climate, and projected potential future natural disasters. The report focuses on four climate trends expected to negatively impact Israel: higher temperatures, higher humidity, rising sea levels and more extreme weather fluctuations.Israel has also been preparing for a long overdue, large-scale earthquake, leading to IDF and Navy drills taking place, as well as government-funded projects to help Israelis prepare for any future earthquake or resulting tsunami.
